Honour for a high flier

SKYDIVER Adrian Nicholas - who performed a death-defying leap to prove Leonardo DaVinci's parachute design would work - is flying high after being awarded an honorary degree by bosses at Salford University.

SKYDIVER Adrian Nicholas - who performed a death-defying leap to prove Leonardo DaVinci's parachute design would work - is flying high after being awarded an honorary degree by bosses at Salford University.

After his parachute jump Adrian, from London, joined forces with the university to draw up a computerised simulation of the staggering descent to teach youngsters about forces and gravity in an innovative way.

Yesterday he used the virtual simulation at the Museum of Science and Industry to land the parachute for a second time, before accepting the honorary degree at the Lowry, in Salford.

Adrian was nominated for the honour by staff at the university's centre for virtual environment, who have developed the simulation package.

Exciting

Karen Padmore, project director for the centre, said: "The centre has put a simulator in the museum for kids to help them understand forces and motion by changing the size and weight of the canopy.

"Since then Adrian has continued to contribute to the university and he has been very keen to use is skills to educate kids and make science exciting for them."

Adrian said: "I am chuffed to bits and so honoured. It's been the most thrilling day. And I am so proud of the work I have done with Salford University."

Also recognised with an honorary degree were George Almond, who retired from his position as Greater Manchester county fire officer in 2002 after 40 years of service with the brigade, and Manchester Airports Group chief executive Geoff Muirhead, who has been a member of Salford University's council.